During 2017's New York Fashion Week, I had the chance to sit front row at what will undoubtedly go down as one of my favorite fashion shows ever. But here's the thing: It wasn't at Fashion Week.

First, let me tell you what most runway presentations look like: rows of editors and fashion industry insiders sitting quietly assessing the cut, color, and fabric of a designer's latest creative vision. Sometimes they'll snap a photo or write down notes. If it sounds super stuffy, that’s because it can be. Now, let me tell you about this Dia & Co show featuring designs by Rachel Roy and actress Rebel Wilson. It was full of loud shouts and cheers from women who couldn’t wait to wear the clothes on display. There were more consumers present than editors, erasing that sense of exclusivity—which made it unique and fucking awesome. The crowd wasn't just there to judge, they were there to shop, and they were loving it, as was I.

The show was part of CurvyCon, a two-day event put on by bloggers Cece Olisa and Chastity Garner Valentine that caters to plus-size women who love fashion. In their third year, Olisa and Garner Valentine decided to schedule their convention smack dab in the middle of New York Fashion Week. The timing was not a coincidence. “Fashion happens during Fashion Week,” co-founder Garner Valentine tells SELF. “We think that Fashion Week should include all sizes (not just sizes under 10), and bringing the CurvyCon to Fashion Week is us putting our stake down.”

Over the past few seasons, designers at Fashion Week have been making strides to be more size inclusive—brands like Christian Siriano, Tracy Reese, and Prabal Gurung have made it a point to incorporate curvy models in their fashion shows right alongside straight-size models—but there's room for improvement. CurvyCon takes it several steps further by hosting a plus-size-only runway show, as well as panel discussions, and shopping—almost everything at the show could be bought immediately online.

The mood is very different than the mainstream Fashion Week events. It’s part family reunion, part clothing bazaar, all love. “The energy, positivity, and excitement in these walls for what it means to be a confident, fierce, beautiful woman at any size is really unmatched,” says Nadia Boujarwah, co-founder of Dia & Co, tells SELF.

Her line, as well as those from Eloquii and ModCloth—all typically online only—were available to try on and shop on the CurvyCon floor. “A lot of the plus-size community happens online, and we wanted to have a day where women could get that experience in person, whether it’s shopping, hanging out with your favorite influencers and celebrities, or hanging out with girls that look like you,” says Garner Valentine.

Model Marquita Pring, who walked on the runway during CurvyCon and also spoke on the panel following the show, says the energy is different than other shows she’s walked in during New York Fashion Week. “I’m so excited to be with my fellow curvy ladies,” she tells SELF. “I think of these women as my peers and my friends. This incredible community is coming together not only to support each other, but to also demand change within this industry. I think this energy is infectious.”

When Olisa and Garner Valentine set out to plan this year’s CurvyCon, it wasn’t just about the clothes. There was also the desire to kickstart a conversation. “As much as we would love to believe in this world your size doesn’t make a difference or your skin color doesn’t make a difference, these things do affect how you live your daily life,” says Olisa. “So if we could have a conference that touches on a little bit of every area of a girl’s life in a body positive way, we could impact her through the rest of the year when she doesn’t have this strong community around her.” This year the lineup included events focused on topics besides fashion like a workout class and a business-focused panel.

The event also gave attendees a chance to talk to retailers about their needs and concerns. Representatives from Target, Lane Bryant, and Macy’s participated in a “Dear Retailer” discussion where they heard directly from the women there to learn and shop. “We personally feel that in some ways the retailer is the gatekeeper to plus-size fashion moving forward. It’s time for a conversation between the people who are ready to spend money and the people who make the clothes,” says Olisa. “These are passionate women, so I feel like the retailers who take part in it get a pretty special market research. It’s super empowering for girls who get to stand up and say, ‘Hey, this is what we need.’”

For me, a curvy black woman, I feel like I’ve been shouting for years, “We need more women of color, more diverse shapes, different heights on the runway.” After attending the CurvyCon, I can say that events like this are what the fashion industry needs. A place where women who’ve been excluded for so long can take ownership of their right to fashion. A place where designers and brands can visualize the $20 billion market opportunity that they're missing. A place where a woman with curves can strut down the runway and feel like she belongs.

You might also like: 16 Women Walked Topless and in Lingerie in a Powerful NYFW Show